The Cleveland Cavaliers have appeared in a few rumors ahead of this year’s NBA Trade Deadline. While it is unclear what moves the team may make for a second-half push, we have a better understanding of what they are not going to do.
According to NBA insiders Chris Haynes and Marc Stein, the Cavaliers have “no interest” in trading away Donovan Mitchell or Jarrett Allen:
“Another important note from Haynes via his latest Bleacher Report live stream: Donovan Mitchell is not the only core player in Cleveland who has team officials swatting away trade inquiries,” Stein wrote in his latest post on Substack. “The Cavaliers, per Haynes, likewise have no interest in fielding trade interest in Jarrett Allen leading up to the Feb. 8 deadline.”
The 28-16 Cavaliers are currently the No. 5 seed in the Eastern Conference and have won nine of their last 10 games. Because of how well the team has played recently, especially in Evan Mobley and Darius Garland‘s nearly two-month absences, it makes sense for the team to stand pat.
This season, Mitchell is averaging 27.7 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 6.3 assists per game. Meanwhile, Allen is averaging 15.3 points, 10.6 rebounds, and 3 assists per game.
Mitchell and Allen both have two years remaining on their contracts.
NBA Rumors: Cavaliers Not Interested in Trading Pair of All-Stars
What’s Next for the Cavaliers?
Now that it has been reported the Cavaliers will likely hold on to Mitchell and Allen, it seems inevitable the team will stand pat. At least pertaining to their main core. According to Haynes and Stein, the Cavaliers may be in the market for a 3-and-D wing:
Both Chris Haynes of Bleacher Report and Stein in his Substack have reported in the past few days that Cleveland’s desire this trade season is a 3-and-D wing to upgrade their rotation ahead of another postseason run.
The surprise here is not that the Cavaliers want more 3-and-D wings; at least 25 other teams are looking for the same thing. The Cavaliers in particular have needed one for years as they have developed deep backcourts and frontcourts but struggling to have true forwards. Dean Wade has held down the fort for multiple years. Max Strus has started at the 3 but is undersized, as is Isaac Okoro. Georges Niang isn’t bringing much of the ‘D’ and is more of a classic 4.
More specifically, the Cavaliers are rumored to be interested in Royce O’Neale and De’Andre Hunter:
NBA insider Marc Stein, via his Substack, reports that Brooklyn Nets guard Royce O’Neale and Atlanta Hawks forward De’Andre Hunter are on the Cavs’ list of potential trade targets ahead of the February deadline.
O’Neale and Hunter are both wings who fit the mold of what the Cavaliers may be looking for.
The Last Word on the Cleveland Cavaliers Trade Rumors
It makes sense for the Cavaliers to hang on to Mitchell and Allen. Both players are playing fantastic basketball for a team that is back on the rise. Plus, the returns of Mobley and Garland should give the team an extra push. They are not a flawless team. In fact, they aren’t necessarily even an elite team. However, the Cavaliers have a good core and are playing really good basketball. Keeping Mitchell and Allen together seems like the best option for Cleveland.
